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The report shows box and mean plots and summary statistics for the sample. Summary statistics include the number of observations analysed, the mean, median, standard deviation, standard error, min, max and interquartile range (IQR).

Confidence intervals are calculated for the mean and median. The interval shows, for the chosen level of certainty, the range of the true underlying population mean or median.

To change the confidence interval calculated:

If the Summary statistics dialog box is not visible click Edit on the Analyse-it tab/toolbar.

Enter Confidence interval to calculate around the mean & median. The level should be entered as a percentage, between 50 and 100, without the % sign.

Click OK.

Examining the observations with a dot plot

Dot plots show individual observations to allow visual assessment of the distribution and clustering of observations, and to spot possible outliers or data entry errors. Observations are plotted on the X axis against a random value on the Y axis to minimise overlapping points.

To show dot plots on the univariate plot:

If the Summary statistics dialog box is not visible click Edit on the Analyse-it tab/toolbar.

Tick Dot plots

Click OK.

Customising the box and percentile plots

Box and percentile plots show the non-parametric central tendency, dispersion and distribution shape of the sample. Box plot styles vary between publications, with the most common styles mainly differing in how the whiskers are drawn. The box plot style determines how the whiskers are shown:

Outlier box plots show whiskers extending to the furthest observations within ±1.5 IQR (interquartile ranges) of the 1st or 3rd quartile. Observations outside 1.5 IQRs are marked as near outliers , and those outside 3.0 IQRs are marked as far outliers (see below).

The box-plot can be shown as a rectangular box, or notched to show the confidence interval of the median.

Basic box plots show a simple rectangular box-plot, from the first to the third quartile, with the median marked in the centre (see below).

Notched box plots show a basic box plot as above, with the addition of a notched (pinched or indented) section for the confidence interval around the median (see below).

To change the box plot:

If the Summary statistics dialog box is not visible click Edit on the Analyse-it tab/toolbar.

Click Box plot then select Skeletal or Outlier

Click Style then select Basic, Notched, or Notched / Basic. Notched / Basic shows a notched box plot when the median is within the range of the quartiles, otherwise reverts to a basic box plot to avoid an ugly plot with the median notch extending beyond the quartiles.

Click OK.

To hide box plots:

If the Summary statistics dialog box is not visible click Edit on the Analyse-it tab/toolbar.

Click Box plot then select None

Click OK.

The range between two percentiles can be shown on the box or dot plots (the percentile values are also shown in the percentile table). The range can show where 80%, 90%, 95% or 99% of the observations of the sample lie.

To change the percentiles shown:

If the Summary statistics dialog box is not visible click Edit on the Analyse-it tab/toolbar.

Click Percentile plot then select None, 80% of distribution, 90% of distribution, 95% of distribution or 99% of distribution.

Click OK.

Customising the mean and SD plots

Mean and SD plots show the parametric central tendency, dispersion and distribution shape.

The mean plot shows the mean as a vertical line, and optionally, the confidence interval for the mean as a diamond shape.

To change the mean plot:

If the Summary statistics dialog box is not visible click Edit on the Analyse-it tab/toolbar.

Click Mean plot then select Mean line or Mean + CI diamond.

Click OK.

SD plots are similar to non-parametric percentile plots, but show the parametric dispersion of the sample. They are useful for assessing the symmetry and skew of the distribution, and can show the dispersion of mean ± 1, 2 or 3 standard deviations or a range from the normal distribution.

To change the SD plot:

If the Summary statistics dialog box is not visible click Edit on the Analyse-it tab/toolbar.